Trip from Salem, OR to Yoncalla, OR

Drive Time

2h 10m

Distance

106.5 mi

171 km

Drive Score

8/10

Great drive

Same Day?

Yes, doable

Fuel Cost

$21

one way

EV Charging

Loading...

station data

Best Time to Leave

Save up to 28 min
4 AM
2h 1m ★
6 AM
2h 10m
8 AM
2h 29m
10 AM
2h 17m
12 PM
2h 15m
3 PM
2h 18m
5 PM
2h 28m
8 PM
2h 5m

Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.

Downtown Salem, OR, OR

Salem, OR

Banx Photography

Downtown Yoncalla, OR, OR

Yoncalla, OR

MÖV Frame

Trip Overview

Traveling from Salem to Yoncalla is a straightforward 106.5-mile journey that typically takes about 2 hours and 10 minutes. Because of the manageable duration, this trip is perfectly suited for a single-day excursion, allowing you to reach your destination without needing an overnight stay. You should budget approximately $21 for fuel to complete the trek. The route remains entirely within the Pacific Coast region, keeping the environment consistent from start to finish. Since the trip is relatively short, you have the flexibility to depart whenever fits your schedule best. It serves as a practical, no-nonsense connection between these two Oregon locations.

Trip Pace

Same-day drive is realistic

A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.

Break Rhythm

0 planned breaks

A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.

Midpoint

53.3 miles from Salem, OR

A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 5m into the drive .

Drive Character

Expect a highway-focused drive, as 93% of your time will be spent cruising on major roads. The core of your journey involves a significant 99.1-mile stretch along I-5, which provides the bulk of the distance. Beyond the interstate, you will transition onto 12th Street Southeast and Elkhead Road to navigate the final portions of the trip. While the interstate segments offer a consistent, high-speed pace, the local road additions toward the end provide a shift in the driving experience. Overall, the route is defined by its efficiency, prioritizing direct travel over technical or winding backroads.

Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 15 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 5 is the longest continuous segment at about 99.1 miles.

How Hard Is This Drive?

This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 5 and Elkhead Road. Navigation is very simple — set it and forget it for most of the drive. The trickiest moment comes around 1 miles in near OR 22; OR 99E Bus / 12th Street Southeast.

Route Complexity 2/10

Very easy - short and simple to drive

The drive from Salem, OR to Yoncalla, OR is easy. At 2h 10m with 93% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.

Where does it get tricky?

The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles (OR 22; OR 99E Bus / 12th Street Southeast): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.3 miles (I 5; OR 99E): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 102.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.

Critical Maneuvers

5 of 8 key points

These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.

6
1 mi into trip | ~2m in | OR 22; OR 99E Bus / 12th Street Southeast

Turn right onto OR 22; OR 99E Bus / 12th Street Southeast

Lane positioning matters here

Use the none lane.
7
3.3 mi into trip | ~7m in | I 5; OR 99E

Take the exit onto I 5; OR 99E toward I 5 South: Eugene

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here

Use the straight lane. Exit 1A Toward I 5 South: Eugene
5
102.4 mi into trip | ~2h 2m in

Take the exit toward Scotts Valley, Elkhead

Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one

Toward Scotts Valley, Elkhead
5
106.4 mi into trip | ~2h 9m in | Third Street

Turn left onto Third Street

Navigation decision point

5
106.5 mi into trip | ~2h 10m in | Alder Street

Turn right onto Alder Street

Navigation decision point

Main Roads

Road Distance Duration
I 5 99.1 mi 1h 55m
Elkhead Road 3.3 mi 5m
12th Street Southeast 2.1 mi 4m
Anlauf Road 0.4 mi <1m
Bellevue Street Southeast 0.3 mi <1m
Eagle Valley Road 0.3 mi <1m
North Santiam Highway 0.3 mi <1m
High Street Northeast 0.3 mi <1m
Longest stretch: I 5 — 99.1 mi, about 1h 55m

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Salem, OR and Yoncalla, OR.

1

Start on High Street Northeast

0.3 mi · 46 sec · High Street Northeast
2

Continue on High Street Southeast

0.1 mi · 31 sec · High Street Southeast
3

Turn left onto OR 22; OR 99E Bus

446 ft · 14 sec · Trade Street Southeast
4

Continue on OR 22; OR 99E Bus

0.2 mi · 39 sec · Pringle Parkway Southeast
5

Continue on OR 22; OR 99E Bus

0.3 mi · 44 sec · Bellevue Street Southeast
6

Turn right onto OR 22; OR 99E Bus

2.1 mi · 4 min · 12th Street Southeast
Use the none lane.
7

Continue on OR 22; OR 99E Bus

0.3 mi · 22 sec · North Santiam Highway
8

Take the exit onto I 5; OR 99E

99 mi · 1 hr 55 min · I 5; OR 99E
Exit 1A Toward I 5 South: Eugene Use the straight lane.
9

Take the exit

0.1 mi · 21 sec
Toward Scotts Valley, Elkhead
10

Turn left onto CR 25

0.4 mi · 37 sec · Anlauf Road
11

Continue on CR 7

3.3 mi · 5 min · Elkhead Road
12

At end of road, turn right onto OR 99

0.3 mi · 38 sec · Eagle Valley Road
13

Turn left onto Third Street

323 ft · 16 sec · Third Street
14

Turn right onto Alder Street

238 ft · 10 sec · Alder Street
15

Arrive at destination

Alder Street

Trip Plan

Given the 2-hour and 10-minute duration, you can easily complete this drive in one go without strictly needing scheduled stops. If you prefer to break up the monotony of the long I-5 stretch, plan your rest intervals before hitting that 99.1-mile segment. Because the drive is short, you can avoid peak traffic hours by leaving mid-morning or early afternoon to ensure a smoother experience. Keep a close eye on your fuel gauge before leaving Salem; while $21 covers the estimated cost, having a bit of extra buffer is always wise. Since the route relies heavily on I-5, check for any major interstate construction or traffic delays before you head out to ensure your timing remains accurate.

Morning Departure

Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.

Evening Departure

Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.

You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 53.3 miles from Salem, OR, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 99.1 miles.

This is a comfortable same-day trip.

Departure

Before you leave

Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.

First stop

Around 80 miles or 1h 36m in

Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.

Halfway reset

Around 53.3 miles or 1h 5m in

This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.

Final approach

Final hour starts around 1h 45m

Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Yoncalla, OR than in the middle of the route.

Before You Leave

+

Open the route before leaving Salem, OR so your first major turns are already loaded.

+

Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.

+

Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.

Day 1

Settle into the route from Salem, OR

This is one driving day of about 106.5 miles and 2h 10m.

Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Salem, OR.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
You may only need one short stretch stop if conditions stay smooth.
The longest stretch is on I 5 for about 99.1 miles.

Where to Stop

Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.

Halfway Point

Midpoint

About 53.3 mi from Salem, OR · 1h 5m into the drive

Downtown Springfield, OR, OR

Mid-route town

Meal stop

Springfield, OR

53 mi into the route

Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset

This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.

Popular next leg

Springfield, OR to Yoncalla, OR

41.8 mi · 54m

Pacing Suggestions

Cottage Grove, OR

Fuel and coffee

A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.

Springfield, OR

Meal break

The midpoint is around 53.3 miles from Salem, OR, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.

Before the longest stretch

Fuel check

Top up before I 5 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 99.1 miles.

Arriving in Yoncalla, OR

The final approach into Yoncalla, OR usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.

Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Yoncalla, OR.

These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.

Fuel & Cost

Regular Gas

$21.20 one way

$42.39 round trip

$5.06/gal 25.4 MPG avg 37 kg CO2
Fuel Type $/gal One Way Round Trip
midgrade $5.34 $22.38 $44.76
premium $5.59 $23.43 $46.85
diesel $5.64 $23.66 $47.32

No toll roads detected on this route.

Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)

Fuel

$21

Meals

$25–$50

Total

$46–$71

Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.

Estimated CO2 emission: 37.3 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.

Driving Electric?

About $11 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2

Vehicle Type kWh Stops DC Fast Home Charge
Average EV 32 0 $11.18 $5.11
Efficient EV 26.6 0 $9.32 $4.26
EV Truck/SUV 42.6 0 $14.91 $6.82

Gas CO2

37 kg

EV CO2

12 kg (68% less)

This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.

DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.

Travel Intel

Current conditions at both ends of the drive.

Forecast data refreshed 3 days ago

Origin

Salem, OR

Afternoon in Salem on Sunday

Local time

4:05 PM

PDT

Current temp

57°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Destination

Yoncalla, OR

Afternoon in Yoncalla on Sunday

Local time

4:05 PM

PDT

Current temp

37°F

Unavailable

Live forecast

Along the Route

56°F

Springfield, OR

53 mi in

Seasonal Notes

Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.

Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.

Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.

Time zone

Same local time

Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.

Temperature spread

20 degrees cooler at arrival

A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.

Road read

2h 10m on the road

Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.

Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.

Frequently Asked Questions

The drive from Salem, OR to Yoncalla, OR covers 106.5 miles and takes about 2h 10m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 5, Elkhead Road, 12th Street Southeast. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 53.3 miles from Salem, OR. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $21.20 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch. Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
The drive from Salem, OR to Yoncalla, OR is easy. At 2h 10m with 93% highway, most drivers will find it relaxed and low-stress.
The main spots that need attention: at 1 miles (OR 22; OR 99E Bus / 12th Street Southeast): Lane positioning matters here; at 3.3 miles (I 5; OR 99E): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 102.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
The route from Salem, OR to Yoncalla, OR does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.

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Explore More

Return Trip

Yoncalla, OR to Salem, OR

Plan the drive back the other way.

106.7 mi 2h 11m

Explore more options from Salem, OR or browse trips ending in Yoncalla, OR.

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